When plaque and calculus accumulate on the teeth it can aggravate the gums causing periodontal disease to develop. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) then begin to deteriorate. Periodontal pockets form which trap additional plaque. Bad breath often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost it will not regrow without surgical intervention.

Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If plaque is not regularly removed it calcifies into a rough, porous deposit called calculus or tartar. By-products of bacterial metabolism irritate the gums making them red, tender, swollen and more prone to bleeding. Eventually the supporting periodontal structures begin to breakdown. The result of this slow process is tissue loss, bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

If you are not in any pain call the dentist as soon as possible to book an appointment. Try and keep the tooth as clean as possible and avoid biting hard on that tooth. If you have pain you will need to go to your dentist immediately as an emergency.

When a tooth is pushed out of position:

Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure but do not force the tooth.

Bite down to keep the tooth from moving.

Your dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.

Radiographic or X-Ray examinations provide your dentist with an important diagnostic tool that shows the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones.

X-Rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumours. X-Rays can also show the exact location of impacted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination (such as changes in the jaw bone structure as a result of systemic disease).

Radiographic or X-Ray examinations provide your dentist with an important diagnostic tool that shows the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones.

X-Rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumours. X-Rays can also show the exact location of impacted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination (such as changes in the jaw bone structure as a result of systemic disease).

The ideal time for your child to meet the dentist is six months after their first (primary) teeth erupt. This gives your dentist a perfect opportunity to carefully examine the development of their mouth and diagnose problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations and prolonged thumb-sucking in their early stages.

Brushing and flossing are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odorous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on. However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odours.

You might want to consider a tongue scraper. They’re extremely effective at removing this protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.

The latest products on the market for bad breath are toothpastes and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide neutralises the odorous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour.

The black filling material used in your teeth is amalgam. Amalgam has been used for over a hundred years as a filling material but in recent times more advanced tooth coloured filling material has been developed. We can safely replace your unsightly amalgam fillings with our modern filling material that can be colour-matched to the exact shade of your teeth.

Dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to help in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.

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Your teeth should be a priority and at no point should you miss the opportunity to show off those pearly whites. Unfortunately, many people do not have naturally straight teeth, and we at Hyde Park Dental Care, aim to fix that. The confidence that comes with a brighter smile is priceless and we offer our clients a variety of treatment options custom made to fit into their lifestyle. It...